Ohio University's IE2 (Inspire, Engage, Educate) program takes teacher training outdoors during an intensive two-week session aimed at increasing STEM learning opportunities in rural Southeast Ohio.
OU developed the IE2 training program in 2008. Priority registration is given to 40 teachers in nine Appalachian school districts (New Boston, Adams County/Ohio Valley Local, Chesapeake Exempted Village, Chillicothe City, Valley Local, Paint Valley Local, South Point Local, Minford Local, and Western Local). The program targets 5th through 9th grade math and science teachers and focuses on developing instructional strategies and lessons related to sustainable environment and water quality studies.
During the program, teachers work alongside OU scientists. Teachers bunk together on site and spend a week gathering water quality and other environmental data at two streams in Shawnee State Park in West Portsmouth. They spend another week in OU labs processing and examining that data at the Athens campus. This allows teachers to keep up with some of the latest lab technology and methods.
"In June we focused on watershed health monitoring the health of the lake and the chemistry of the water. We also assessed the surrounding habitat. We did all these things shoulder-to-shoulder with scientists who do this for a living," says Al Cote, coordinator of the Southeast Ohio Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Center at OU.
Teachers take their summer experience and are guided to develop rigorous math and science lessons for their classrooms that are aligned to Ohio's academic content standards.
This year, half of the program took place during the summer and the rest will take place during the school year.
Funding for 2010-11 IE2 Southeastern Ohio was provided by Ohio Board of Regents' Improving Teacher Quality grant.
Source: Al Cote, Southeast Ohio Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Center
Writer: Feoshia Henderson